Archive By Section - Local News

A mirth-filled holiday season is yours for the low price of saving the life of a rescued pet: a mere $25 adoption fee will give you the not-to-be missed experience of opening your heart and home to a new furry family member or two from the Oakdale Animal Shelter.

The spirit of giving is alive and well at 7712 Rodden Road in Oakdale, as River Oak Grace Community Church opens the gates of its annual Christmas Tree lot. The annual tree lot hosted on the hill of the north end church has taken on a new mission for the 2015 Christmas season. A tree lot which once utilized its profits to go toward camp for its youth ministries is now reaching beyond the church's Rodden Road location.

They were lined up outside the Gene Bianchi Community Center well ahead of the scheduled opening time for the doors on Thursday, as members of the community came to enjoy a festive Thanksgiving dinner. Offered to all free of charge, the menu included all the traditional holiday favorites, from turkey and mashed potatoes to salad and cranberry sauce, topped off with a variety of choices for dessert.

In 2011, Center for Human Services (CHS) – Oakdale Family Resource and Counseling Center introduced Angel Trees to assist families in need during the holiday season. Last year, CHS – Oakdale Family Resource and Counseling Center hosted Angel Trees at nine different sites and were able to provide gifts for over 400 Angels (local children). This year, Angel Trees are at eight sites and plan to serve over 300 Angels. If you or someone you know is interested in adopting an Angel (local child) this holiday season, Angel Trees can be found at the following locations:

Oakdale's own Cowboy Santa offered visitors a unique opportunity to pet and visit with his trusty companion as he made his way into the plaza area of Gene Bianchi Community Center on Saturday. Young and old alike waited along the parking lot entrance to spy the horseback arrival of the treasured attendee. It was part of the annual Cowboy Christmas celebration for the community, which included a vendor faire, music and visits and photos with Santa himself.

The wait is almost over. Friday night, Dec. 4 the defending Sac-Joaquin Section Champion Oakdale Mustangs get their second chance at the Central Catholic Raiders. The much anticipated rematch between the top Valley Oak League teams will come when they square off at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Football Championship at Lincoln High School in Stockton with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Oakdale Police detectives arrested a 65-year-old man for solicitation of sex acts with a child on Wednesday, Nov. 25 after anonymous sexually explicit letters were brought to the department's attention in September.

An Oakdale holiday tradition – Cowboy Christmas – is among the special events coming up this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and Nov 28 for the community – its 23rd consecutive year. Hosted by the Oakdale Cowboy Museum, the event starts with a special evening of holiday vendors with a Christmas Gift and Craft Show at the Gene Bianchi Community Center on Friday, Nov. 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.